Name
Arthur Douglas Newton
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/10/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Major
Royal Field Artillery
265th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Mentioned in Despatches
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BEERSHEBA WAR CEMETERY
Q. 11.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
FOR UNTO YOU IS PARADISE OPENED II. ESDRAS. 8.52.
UK & Other Memorials
Harpenden Town Memorial, Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Harpenden
Pre War
Arthur Douglas was born in 1889 in St Pancras, London to Arthur H Newton, colour manufacturer, and Kathleen (nee Berridge). The family were living at Croftdown Road, St Pancras and part of Winsor & Newton, artists’ supplies.
By the 1901 Census they were living at Clarence Road, Harpenden and on the 1911 Census at Treglissson, Moreton Ave. Arthur was noted as an outstanding horseman. Arthur enlisted for 4 years of service in 1st Herts Battery Royal Field Artillery in July 1908 and by Jun 1910 had been promoted to Sergeant.
Wartime Service
Arthur was still in the Territorial Force at the outbreak of war and was possibly commissioned at speed and served in CCLXIV (265) Brigade, "B" Battery, Royal Field Artillery, which was classed as a Unit of the Territorial Force.
Arthur had been posted overseas and was serving in Palestine ( rank of Major) when he was killed during the 3rd Battle of Gaza on 27 Oct 1917. He was Mentioned in Despatches. (date not known).
Additional Information
His father, Mr A H Newton, 3, The Grange, Maitland Park, NW3 London, ordered his headstone inscription: “FOR UNTO YOU IS PARADISE OPENED II. ESDRAS. 8.52.”. Younger brother Charles Ronald served as 2nd Lieut. RFA and was killed in France Sep 1918.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Mary Skinner, Harpenden & District Local History Society (www.harpenden-history.org.uk)
